Monthly Archives: November 2012

Hi everyone! It’s been awhile, huh? And how can it already be December tomorrow?

As the year winds down, I have a lot on my plate and I’m also thinking ahead to 2013 and where I want to be and what I want to accomplish. It can be a bit overwhelming at times reading everyone else’s blog posts about improving yourself and your business and setting goals and resolutions with intention, at least to me. Sometimes I have to block out that thirst for knowledge and perfection and just sit by myself. The internet and its nooks and crannies are wonderful but mostly I just need a pen, a notebook and some time to think.

When I’m working, nothing is more comforting than being surrounded by nice essentials — these were a few of mine during the last week, namely a Poppin softcover notebook and pencils, Divine Chocolate (which I can vouch tastes as good as it looks) and chai and milk. If you prefer something warm but lighter than coffee, you can pick up a carton of Tazo chai at most grocery stores, add milk and microwave it for a minute. Presto!

Over Thanksgiving break, Joey whipped us up a delicious vegan feast and when I wasn’t eating (or watching terrible 80s movies), I was working on some fancy new things for The Blogcademy. I’m adamant about starting 2013 off on a good foot and feeling confident about where I’m headed and because the timeline to pull our original collateral together was almost nonexistent, I’ve been retooling a few of our basics. I’ve stared at the outcome of this digital project a few times since sending off final assets and I still don’t see anything I’d change. You know how fickle designers can be so that’s always a good sign!

I know that some of you are interested in cool places and goings-on around Portland and I’m trying to get better about documenting and sharing them with you! One of my favorite new discoveries was See See Motor Coffee Co. which, as you probably can gather from the name, is split into a motorcycle and coffee shop all in one! A pretty amazing combo if you ask me. I met my friend there for coffee and fell in love with the spot right away — it’s open yet welcoming and the wood panels add a cozy Portland vibe.

And as far as the coffee shop goes, the decor is pretty great. One wall is covered in shelving featuring vintage helmets and album art that contains motorcycles which is pretty entertaining when you realize that mix includes Prince’s Purple Rain and Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell!

On that tip, I need to get out more. I always forget how inspiring it is to just wanted through Portland’s never-ending maze of vintage stores. The good stuff goes on forever and ever. Who can deny the magic of this pink Christmas tree?! I hope it finds a good home! If I could afford shipping, it would be on its way to the Rock n Roll Bride residence right now!

Here’s to wishing you and yours a cozy, magical holiday season. I’m feeling more excited about the holidays than I have in a really long time — maybe I’ve just grown up a bit and settled in more than in past years. Our house is finally starting to feel like a home and we just got our first full-sized tree over the weekend at Target (white with silver and red ornaments — it will make its debut here soon!) I’ll be sitting at my desk all weekend but it’s all in the name of a great project. Have a great one!

Two weeks ago, I was waxing poetic about Poppin and their rad, brightly colored office accouterments. I’m a firm believer that a clean workspace translates to a less cluttered mind and was over the moon when Poppin reached out and let me pick out one of their holiday gift sets.

I was in need of some brightening up in my very black and white office so I chose the Pencils of Promise Pack which is named after the organization Poppin works with to build schools for children living in poverty. I love that they give back to educational institutions. There are lots of other brightly colored bundles to choose from as well.

As a native Portlander, I’m accustomed to the six months of overcast drizzle we’re in the midst of but at the same time, it does get old fast. Being surrounded by all these bright colored accessories is making me feel way better and I feel so grown up at 31 finally having a matching pencil cup, tape dispenser and stapler!

I always feel like I’m lacking in the basics — my favorite part of the bundle is the ruler. It’s thick, weighty and the numbers are massive. I can’t seem to draw a straight line to save my life so I see it getting a lot of use.

If you’re seeking a more organized, color coordinated office space as well, I’ve joined up with Poppin to share the holiday cheer with you! Receive $25 off orders $50 or more on Poppin.com + free shipping sitewide! To activate this discount, simply enter the coupon code HappyHoliday during checkout on Poppin.com and start off the new year in style!

I took it easy during this extended Thanksgiving weekend and spent a good chunk of time hanging around the house, cuddling with Rocky, indulging in lots of Thanksgiving leftovers and shopping for my first-ever full-size Christmas tree at Target (last year we had a mini one). All in all, a good time!

It’s been freezing cold out so we took these shots in my dining room and Rocky joined in on the fun. He’d just gotten his bath and isn’t looking so happy! Haha!

I paired my dress with this statement shoe score of the century. I still can’t quite believe I landed a pair of Louboutins in my size for under 50 bucks! Thank you, shoe gods!

When Fall weather hits, I reach for knits and this sweater dress has been a staple of mine over the last month because though the shape is basic, the mash-up of stripes keep it from steering into boring territory.

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! I’m taking the rest of the week off to enjoy some much welcomed family time and I hope you have the chance to do the same. See you back here Monday and thanks for reading! Now, onto this week’s links…

• Will you be blocking Black Friday? #blockfriday is all about seizing the opportunity to spend quality time with friends, loved ones and ourselves.

• My longtime friend and collaborator Bianca Alexis finally has a blog! She’s a retoucher in New York and also a major fashion fan and she has lots of great information and insights to share. Check her out!

• New York Magazine wonders, when did the internet get so nice? “Ten years ago, the web offered the worldview of a disaffected apparatchik and the perils of a Wild West saloon. Brawls broke out frequently; snideness triumphed; perverts, predators, and pettifoggers gathered in dark corners to prey on the lost and naïve. Now, though, the place projects the upbeat vigor of a Zumba session and the fellow-feeling of a neighborhood café.”

Nice to meet you!

I'm Shauna, a graphic designer and entrepreneur. I spend my days as the Creative Director of Branch, a boutique design studio. This is my personal blog, which has been going strong since 2007. I'm obsessed with shoes, squirrels and traveling. Read more…

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If have a design question or you're itching for advice in your college education or creative career, please drop me a line at: advice@nubbytwiglet.com.

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